System, apparatus and method for abrasive jet fluid cutting

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method for abrasive jet fluid cutting is provided wherein an abrasive jet fluid cutting assembly comprises a hose for receiving a coherent abrasive jet-fluid containing a solid abrasive; a helix/spring attached inside the high-pressure hose; and a jet-nozzle connected to the hose. Wherein the coherent abrasive laden jet-fluid is pumped under high pressure through the high-pressure hose and across the helix. As the jet-fluid traverses the helix, the jet-fluid rotates at a high rate creating a vortex. The disclosed subject matter further includes a system and method for using the abrasive jet fluid cutting nozzle assembly.

1 . Apparatus for cutting through casing, cement and/or formation rock, the apparatus comprising:
 a high-pressure hose, said high-pressure hose at least internally lined substantially with an abrasive resistance material, said abrasive resistant material either a non-rigid abrasive resistant material or a rigid abrasive resistant material;   a helix disposed within said high-pressure hose between a jet-nozzle and any significant bend in said high-pressure hose, said helix at least externally lined substantially with a first rigid abrasive resistant material;   said jet-nozzle directly associated with said high-pressure hose, said jet-nozzle at least internally lined substantially with a second rigid abrasive resistant material;   a coherent abrasive jet-fluid, said coherent abrasive jet-fluid containing a solid abrasive and traveling under pressure through said high-pressure hose, over said helix, and through said jet-nozzle;   wherein said abrasive-jet-fluid is used to cut a target.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the length of the fully constricted portion of said jet-nozzle and said high-pressure hose to a distal end of said jet-nozzle is less than 50 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of said jet-nozzle is tapered. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said jet-nozzle is comprised of:
 a nozzle holder assembly, wherein said high-pressure hose is associated with said nozzle holder assembly;   a nozzle;   a nozzle end retainer, wherein said nozzle is positioned between said nozzle end retainer and said nozzle holder assembly and said nozzle end retainer compresses said high-pressure hose between said nozzle holder assembly and said nozzle end retainer.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein a distal end of said nozzle end retainer is tapered. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said tapering of said distal end of said nozzle end retainer is approximately 30 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said nozzle extends through said nozzle end retainer and through said tapering such that a distal end of said nozzle substantially aligns with said distal end of said nozzle end retainer. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said jet-nozzle length is tuned so the maximum velocity of said coherent abrasive jet-fluid occurs at a distal end of said jet-nozzle, said tuning accomplished by measuring the mass flow and pressures of said jet-nozzle and adjusting said jet-nozzle length until there is a decrease of back pressure at the proximate end of said jet-nozzle. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said helix is disposed within a sleeve, said sleeve disposed within said high-pressure hose. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said helix and said sleeve are positioned substantially against a proximate end of said nozzle holder assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said helix has a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of said nozzle holder assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said helix has a smaller inner diameter area than the inner diameter area of said high-pressure hose. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said helix's smaller inner diameter area increases said coherent abrasive jet-fluid's velocity as said coherent abrasive jet-fluid traverses said helix. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said coherent abrasive-jet-fluid is pumped under high-pressure between a range of 690 bar and 2,750 bar. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , the apparatus capable of cutting through said target, wherein said target is a 19 mm thick piece of steel positioned 1.5 meters from said jet-nozzle and said cutting is performed in the air. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , the apparatus capable of cutting through said target, wherein said target is 600 mm thick steel reinforced concrete and said cutting is performed in the air. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , the apparatus capable of cutting said target, wherein said target is a 380 mm thick steel and said cutting is performed in the air. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , the apparatus capable of being deployed within a well bore with an internal diameter of 101 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , the apparatus capable of cutting steel casing(s), cement, and/or formation rock at least two feet from said jet-nozzle while said jet-nozzle is submerged in a liquid. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , said jet-nozzle cutting through and severing from the ID of a casing through five cemented nested casings with the largest nested casing being one meter in diameter. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said target is 19 mm thick steel casing(s), cement, and/or formation rock and said target is cut at a rate of at least 300 mm length per minute while said jet-nozzle is submerged in a liquid. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , said jet-nozzle submerged within a liquid and cutting while submerged in said liquid. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said target is casing(s), cement, and/or formation rock and said cutting is performed at greater than 6 km depth while submerged in a liquid. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said target is a casing and/or subterranean formation. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said coherent abrasive jet-fluid is capable of cutting a hole in said target larger than the diameter of said jet-nozzle without moving said jet-nozzle. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus does not need an aqueous gel for operation.